Cal Raleigh leads power show as Mariners take control of ALDS against Tigers

DETROIT — The Seattle Mariners are on the brink of a spot in the AL Championship series for the first time in 24 years.Cal Raleigh hit a two-run homer, Eugenio Suárez and J.P.Crawford had solo shots and Seattle beat the Detroit Tigers 8-4 on Tuesday night to take a 2-1 lead in the AL Division Series.The Mariners are within a win of their first AL Championship Series since 2001.

Their first chance to advance is on Wednesday afternoon in Game 4 at Comerica Park and if necessary, another opportunity awaits on Friday back in Seattle for a decisive Game 5.“The Seattle Mariners deserve where we’re at right now,” Suárez said.Detroit manager A.J.Hinch said not to count his team out after it showed resolve following a historic collapse in the regular season and bounced back by eliminating Cleveland in an AL Wild Card series, then won Game 1 against Seattle.“We’ve had to play more and more back-against-the-wall-type games,” Hinch said.

“I know our guys are going to be ready.”Seattle’s Logan Gilbert gave up one run on four hits while striking out seven and walking none over six innings.“Can’t say enough about what Logan did,” Mariners manager Dan Wilson said.“Just an incredible outing.

He had everything going.”Raleigh, who had a major league-high 60 homers during the regular season, hit a 391-foot, two-run homer to left-center in the ninth to make it 8-1.The offensively challenged Tigers were limited to four hits and one run through eight innings before suddenly generating some offense in the ninth against Caleb Ferguson, who allowed three runs on three hits and a walk without getting an out.Spencer Torkelson hit a two-run double and Andy Ibanez followed with an RBI single.All-Star closer Andres Munoz entered with one on and no outs and ended Detroit’s comeback hopes with a flyout and game-ending double play.Detroit’s Jack Flaherty lasted just 3 ¹/₃ innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on four hits and three walks.Seattle scored ...